Il duce, meaning 'the leader' in Italian, refers specifically to Benito Mussolini, the founder of Italian Fascism and the Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 until 1943. This title symbolizes Mussolini's authoritarian rule and his role in establishing a totalitarian regime that emphasized nationalism, militarism, and the importance of a strong centralized state. Under il duce, Italy pursued aggressive expansionist policies and sought to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, intertwining Mussolini's image with the state itself.
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